Alive but worried!

[Louise O'Brien]

First of all - I have to agree with everyone else. Call it miracle, call it luck - the right person was there at the right time and you survived - and in my world, I'd say that's a miracle.

I just had to respond to this thread because I'm just three months out of reconstruction surgery. An eight hour operation. The one thing I remember is the number of times I was injected with Heparin - a blood thinner I was told that would prevent blood clots. I lost track of the number of times before surgery - and for days after surgery - that a nurse would appear at my bedside for that injection. At least twice a day. I was foggy - it could have been more. I remember it because for some reason it's the only injection I had that was a bit painful.

Then there were the stockings I hated, put on my legs immediately after surgery - also aimed at preventing blood clots. Had to wear those for several days.

So I guess my first question is - did you get Heparin?

And I'm going to be the devil's advocate here because I have had legal training: one of the biggest reasons hospitals will claim they had "no idea" why something went wrong with a patient is because they want to avoid any admission of liability.

Why would they say... oh gee, had we only been more vigilant, given her x number of drugs etc. etc. ??

Much safer to plead ignorance. Hospitals don't want to be sued.

So Steph is right - you need to ask some tough questions.

Having said that - I still think you experienced a true miracle. Your guardian angel was looking after you. It wasn't your time.

[Becky]

I really can't add more to the responses you've already received. Welcome Home!!!!

[Jackie07]

Theoretically blood transfusion should not have anything to do with recurrence.

So glad you are O.K. now. Watch for 'post traumatic stress disorder' afterwards and please rest well.

[michka]

Thank you all for your warm support.
I got a shot of blood thinner the night before the operation. Could Faslodex be incompatible with blood thinners. I do not understand what it says on the Faslodex warning. Something like "if you take blood thinners, tell your doctor". What does that mean?

Yes, I know they didn't watch me right. I was in a recovery room plugged into the monitors. They had several ways of seeing I wasn't well. I have no intention of suing anybody but I want the truth. By law, I can ask a copy of all the internal documents. I will do that because they are afraid to talk. I consider that everybody can make a mistake. These doctors and nurses have a tough job and we love to find them to help us. What gets me upset (and now a little mad) is the tentative to cover up. It's a dangerous attitude for the patients. The best is to put everything that went wrong on the table and correct the process or the training.
I was not really interested in my new breast for days. Now I am happy it is done although it looks terrible; like if they sewed half a watermelon on my chest. I know it is going to improve in the coming days. I am supposed to have another 2 hour operation in 3 to 4 months to do the final shaping. I hope I will be courageous enough to go back!